REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST 69 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



ally, usually up to that point whore an increase in meal does not seem to induce a 

 relatively liberal increase in milk flow. One pound of meal for four pounds of milk 

 is liberal feeding; one pound of meal for three pounds of milk, to leave a profit, neces- 

 sitates selling milk at a higher price than the average farmer may hope for. In this 

 connection it may be observed that the quality or composition of the meal ration is 

 usually an important factor affecting the milk yield. It is exceedingly important, 

 however, to remember that palatability in the meal as well as in the roughage is an 

 influence that is not infrequently underestimated. Variety in meals fed is advisable, 

 but variety should mean a blending of meals, not a substitution of one for another at 

 frequent intervals. To illustrate, it is much better to feed a mixture of bran, oatU, 

 barley, oil, meal, gluten, cotton seed meal, &c., than to feed any one of the.m for a time, 

 to be subse(iuently replaced by some other. 



Generally speaking, the meal ration for dairy cows should be rich in protein, 

 palatable, easily digested and fairly finely ground, and blended to suit the roughage 

 ration with which it is fed. Meals vary greatly as to composition and effect upon 

 digestive organs of the cattle. While some are laxative, some are constipating in 

 effect, and while some seem to develop appetite, otliers have the opposite effect. 



INDIVIDUAL cow RECORDS. 



The records which follow are rather lower than usual for the reasons already 

 given that building operations interfered with the proper care of the herd. The butter 

 is valued at 26 cents per pound. It was really sold at from 25 to 35 cents per pound. 



Some of the cows suckled calves part of the time, hence did not make as good 

 records as would otherwise have been the case. 



COST OF FEEDING. 



In estimating the cost of feeding, the following prices were charged for feed 

 stuffs, being the average local market rates for the same during the season of 1908, 

 save in the case of ensilage and roots, which are charged for at the rate usually 

 affixed in experimental feeding in all parts of America. 



Pasture, per month $ 1 00 per cow. 



Bran 20 00 per ton. 



Gluten meal 28 00 " 



Oil meal 32 00 



Oats 25 00 



Barley 22 00 



Clover hay Y 00 " 



Chaff 4 00 



Roots and ensilage 2 00 " 



In estimating the value of the product, 20 cents per pound is allowed for the 

 butter and 20 cents per 100 pounds for the skim milk. The butter sells at from 25 to 

 35 cents per pound. 



The Central Experimental Farm dairy herd records as piven below, make only a 

 nuxicrate showing. No effort is being made just at present to get pnrticidarly large 

 yields from the cattle, the aim being now to get some good breeding stock. As will 

 be noted the pure-bred cows are being milked for rather shorter periods than usual. 

 This is on account of their being bred to come in at as short intervals as possible. 



